Whats On Darwin - Weather - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Weather / Climate

The Top End including Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine and surrounds has two distinct seasons - the Wet and the Dry.

January and February is the heart of the Wet season when monsoonal weather dumps heavy afternoon and overnight rain. It swells waterfalls and floods wetlands, turning the countryside green. Average temperatures range from 24.6 degrees Centigrade (75 degrees Fahrenheit) minimum to 31.9 degrees Centigrade (85 degrees Fahrenheit) maximum.

March and April see the rains begin to subside. Strong winds start to dry the land and flatten tall grasses. Average temperatures range from 24 degrees Centigrade (75 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32.7 degrees Centigrade (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

May to September is the long period known as the Dry season and is the most popular time of the year with visitors and locals. The humidity is at its lowest and the nights can become relatively cool. Average temperatures range from 19.3 degrees Centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32.6 degrees Centigrade (89 degrees Fahrenheit).

October to December is the pre monsoon period and it becomes increasingly humid with occasional rain. This is the period known as the build up and is when many locals give thanks for air conditioning. Average temperatures range from 25 degrees Centigrade (77 degrees Fahrenheit) to 33.2 degrees Centigrade (91 degrees Fahrenheit).

Though wet, Katherine is far enough south and inland (350 kilometres) to get half to a third less rain than Darwin. January to March maximum average temperatures are generally two to four degrees higher than Darwin. Winter nights are cool with June to August minimum temperatures averaging between 12 and 14 degrees Centigrade (about 54 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit).